general_n rule_n to_o the_o several_a head_n of_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n conscience_n may_v be_v concern_v that_o so_o every_o one_o may_v be_v furnish_v with_o some_o principle_n for_o the_o determine_v himself_o in_o any_o matter_n concern_v which_o he_o happen_v to_o have_v a_o doubt_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o whoever_o have_v consider_v what_o we_o have_v before_o say_v will_v easy_o be_v persuade_v that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o turn_v the_o balance_n in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n but_o the_o great_a weight_n of_o reason_n on_o one_o side_n than_o the_o other_o for_o since_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o doubt_v be_v the_o suspense_n of_o a_o man_n judgement_n in_o a_o question_n upon_o account_n of_o the_o equal_a appearance_n of_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n of_o it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o that_o which_o be_v to_o settle_v the_o judgement_n and_o to_o determine_v the_o doubt_n can_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o this_o viz._n that_o after_o all_o thing_n consider_v there_o do_v appear_v great_a reason_n to_o lie_v on_o this_o side_n of_o the_o question_n than_o there_o do_v on_o that_o so_o that_o the_o general_n rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o from_o which_o the_o measure_n of_o resolve_v all_o particular_a case_n be_v to_o be_v take_v can_v be_v lay_v down_o otherwise_o than_o thus_o viz._n that_o in_o all_o doubtful_a case_n that_o side_n which_o all_o thing_n due_o consider_v do_v appear_v more_o reasonable_a that_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o the_o casuist_n have_v usual_o propose_v this_o rule_n in_o other_o term_n viz._n that_o in_o all_o doubtful_a case_n the_o safe_a side_n be_v to_o be_v follow_v but_o i_o do_v purposely_o avoid_v the_o express_v it_o so_o because_o of_o the_o uncertain_a meaning_n of_o the_o safe_a side_n for_o according_a as_o that_o word_n be_v expound_v as_o it_o may_v be_v expound_v different_a way_n so_o be_v the_o rule_n so_o word_v true_a or_o false_a if_o we_o take_v safety_n in_o the_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n and_o as_o it_o be_v indeed_o usual_o understand_v viz._n as_o it_o be_v oppose_v to_o any_o hazard_n or_o danger_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o adequate_a rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n in_o all_o case_n to_o follow_v the_o safe_a side_n that_o in_o many_o case_n it_o will_v be_v very_o unadvisable_v so_o to_o do_v sure_o i_o be_o that_o in_o doubtful_a case_n which_o concern_v the_o civil_a life_n no_o wife_n man_n do_v always_o make_v this_o a_o rule_n to_o himself_o we_o see_v a_o hundred_o instance_n every_o day_n where_o man_n venture_v upon_o the_o less_o safe_a and_o the_o more_o hazardous_a side_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o other_o reason_n and_o consideration_n which_o they_o think_v aught_o more_o to_o prevail_v with_o they_o it_o be_v certain_o in_o general_a speak_n more_o safe_a that_o be_v more_o free_a from_o hazard_n or_o danger_n to_o travel_v on_o foot_n than_o on_o horseback_n to_o stay_v at_o home_n than_o to_o go_v into_o foreign_a country_n to_o traffic_n by_o land_n than_o to_o venture_v one_o stock_n on_o the_o uncertain_a sea_n but_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o ease_n and_o expedition_n that_o be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o the_o first_o case_n and_o the_o improvement_n and_o benefit_n that_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v for_o in_o the_o second_o and_o the_o gain_n and_o profit_n in_o the_o last_o do_v we_o see_v every_o day_n overballance_v the_o consideration_n of_o safety_n in_o these_o case_n and_o determine_v a_o man_n not_o to_o that_o side_n which_o be_v free_a from_o danger_n but_o to_o that_o which_o be_v more_o convenient_a or_o more_o useful_a or_o more_o advantageous_a and_o thus_o it_o be_v likewise_o as_o to_o those_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v concern_v i_o suppose_v that_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o safer-side_n of_o any_o action_n with_o reference_n to_o conscience_n we_o general_o mean_v that_o side_n on_o which_o there_o appear_v the_o least_o hazard_n or_o danger_n of_o transgress_v any_o law_n of_o god._n but_o now_o in_o this_o sense_n of_o safety_n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o it_o be_v always_o a_o good_a rule_n for_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n to_o choose_v the_o safe_a side_n on_o the_o contrary_a i_o think_v that_o if_o the_o rule_n be_v thus_o put_v and_o thus_o understand_v it_o will_v often_o prove_v a_o snare_n to_o a_o man_n mind_n and_o rather_o entangle_v he_o further_o in_o difficulty_n than_o help_v he_o out_o of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o rule_n that_o a_o man_n be_v in_o all_o his_o action_n to_o keep_v himself_o at_o the_o great_a distance_n he_o can_v from_o the_o danger_n of_o sin_v which_o be_v the_o notion_n of_o safety_n i_o here_o speak_v of_o i_o dare_v say_v there_o be_v very_o few_o person_n that_o converse_v much_o in_o the_o world_n but_o have_v reason_n almost_o every_o day_n to_o call_v themselves_o to_o account_v for_o transgress_v this_o rule_n for_o they_o do_v every_o day_n engage_v in_o such_o action_n in_o which_o they_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o do_v expose_v themselves_o to_o a_o great_a danger_n of_o sin_v than_o if_o they_o have_v not_o engage_v in_o they_o thus_o for_o instance_n what_o man_n be_v there_o among_o we_o who_o although_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v prone_a enough_o to_o the_o sin_n of_o intemperance_n in_o eat_v or_o drink_v when_o temptation_n be_v offer_v and_o according_o for_o this_o reason_n do_v most_o serious_o set_v himself_o against_o this_o particular_a sin_n yet_o make_v any_o great_a scruple_n of_o go_v to_o feast_n and_o entertainment_n when_o he_o be_v invite_v by_o other_o nay_o or_o of_o make_v they_o himself_o when_o decency_n or_o civility_n or_o the_o serve_v any_o of_o his_o temporal_a affair_n do_v require_v he_o so_o to_o do_v but_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o by_o thus_o do_v he_o run_v a_o much_o great_a hazard_n of_o fall_v into_o the_o sin_n he_o fear_v than_o if_o he_o shall_v forbear_v all_o such_o occasion_n or_o temptation_n of_o intemperance_n many_o other_o instance_n which_o daily_o occur_v in_o humane_a life_n may_v be_v give_v wherein_o good_a man_n nay_o even_o the_o best_a of_o man_n do_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o business_n or_o other_o laudable_a design_n which_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o pursue_v frequent_o venture_v to_o expose_v themselves_o to_o such_o danger_n of_o sin_v as_o they_o may_v have_v avoid_v and_o this_o without_o any_o reproach_n from_o their_o own_o conscience_n or_o any_o censure_n from_o other_o men._n the_o truth_n be_v god_n have_v no_o where_o command_v we_o to_o avoid_v all_o possible_a danger_n of_o sin_v but_o only_o to_o avoid_v all_o sin_n when_o we_o be_v in_o danger_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o secure_v a_o man_n duty_n that_o he_o do_v not_o transgress_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o any_o action_n that_o he_o take_v in_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v not_o require_v that_o he_o shall_v in_o every_o instance_n of_o his_o conversation_n preserve_v himself_o from_o the_o utmost_a possibility_n or_o if_o you_o will_v danger_n of_o so_o do_v for_o upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o one_o to_o live_v like_o a_o man_n of_o this_o world_n and_o perform_v the_o common_a office_n of_o civil_a life_n and_o much_o more_o to_o live_v to_o any_o great_a purpose_n for_o the_o serve_v his_o generation_n indeed_o the_o result_n of_o all_o will_v be_v that_o whoever_o will_v approve_v himself_o to_o be_v true_o religious_a and_o conscientious_a must_v abandon_v all_o secular_a affair_n and_o retire_v to_o a_o cloister_n or_o a_o desert_n but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v what_o be_v this_o to_o our_o business_n those_o we_o now_o speak_v of_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v full_o satisfy_v in_o their_o own_o mind_n that_o they_o may_v safe_o venture_v on_o the_o more_o dangerous_a side_n of_o a_o action_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o some_o considerable_a good_a that_o they_o design_n in_o that_o action_n but_o the_o case_n we_o be_v now_o concern_v in_o be_v that_o of_o one_o who_o be_v altogether_o doubtful_a whether_o he_o may_v lawful_o do_v the_o action_n or_o no._n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o my_o business_n be_v now_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o man_n be_v to_o proceed_v in_o determine_v themselves_o in_o doubtful_a case_n and_o that_o which_o i_o have_v say_v do_v thus_o far_o i_o think_v come_v home_o to_o that_o business_n that_o if_o it_o be_v allow_v that_o it_o be_v advisable_v in_o any_o case_n to_o forsake_v the_o more_o safe_a side_n of_o a_o action_n and_o to_o choose_v the_o more_o hazardous_a we_o will_v take_v it_o for_o
not_o of_o faith._n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n may_v act_n with_o faith_n notwithstanding_o his_o doubt_n i_o hope_v it_o will_v be_v allow_v that_o those_o case_n be_v except_v out_o of_o st._n paul_n proposition_n now_o that_o there_o be_v such_o case_n and_o that_o our_o case_n of_o obey_v authority_n be_v one_o of_o they_o i_o thus_o prove_v whosoever_o so_o act_n as_o that_o he_o be_v satisfy_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n that_o what_o he_o do_v be_v according_a to_o his_o duty_n in_o the_o present_a circumstance_n such_o a_o man_n act_n with_o faith_n in_o reference_n to_o that_o action_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o of_o which_o i_o have_v before_o give_v a_o account_n but_o now_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o a_o man_n may_v have_v a_o doubt_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n and_o yet_o be_v in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v that_o be_v very_o reasonable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o his_o duty_n nay_o as_o the_o case_n may_v be_v that_o he_o be_v real_o bind_v to_o do_v that_o action_n concern_v which_o he_o thus_o doubt_n rather_o than_o not_o to_o do_v it_o because_o the_o not_o do_v that_o action_n all_o thing_n consider_v appear_v to_o he_o more_o dangerous_a or_o attend_v with_o worse_a consequence_n this_o now_o be_v grant_v it_o undeniable_o follow_v that_o wherever_o a_o man_n light_n into_o these_o circumstance_n he_o be_v not_o a_o sinner_n even_o according_a to_o the_o strict_a sense_n of_o these_o word_n though_o he_o act_n with_o some_o kind_n of_o doubt_n because_o he_o act_v in_o faith_n that_o be_v he_o be_v resolve_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o thus_o it_o behove_v he_o to_o act_v in_o the_o present_a case_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v unreasonable_a or_o sinful_a to_o act_v otherwise_o so_o that_o let_v our_o adversary_n make_v the_o most_o of_o st._n paul_n word_n that_o they_o can_v it_o be_v a_o very_a illogical_a inference_n to_o say_v that_o whoever_o act_v with_o a_o doubt_n upon_o his_o conscience_n in_o any_o case_n be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n and_o much_o more_o be_v it_o so_o to_o affirm_v it_o in_o our_o present_a case_n of_o obey_v authority_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o many_o man_n be_v and_o i_o believe_v all_o man_n may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o in_o a_o pure_o doubtful_a case_n it_o be_v not_o only_o more_o reasonable_a but_o their_o duty_n to_o obey_v their_o superior_n well_o but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v do_v not_o we_o here_o talk_v contradiction_n can_v a_o man_n have_v faith_n about_o a_o action_n that_o be_v be_v resolve_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o such_o a_o action_n be_v to_o be_v do_v or_o may_v lawful_o be_v do_v and_o yet_o doubt_v concern_v it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n i_o answer_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o contradiction_n that_o it_o be_v a_o case_n that_o every_o day_n happen_v where_o a_o man_n have_v a_o doubt_n on_o both_o side_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o instance_n before_o we_o a_o man_n often_o have_v very_o great_a doubt_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o this_o or_o the_o other_o action_n when_o he_o consider_v the_o action_n in_o general_a but_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o weigh_v the_o circumstance_n he_o be_v in_o and_o the_o reason_n he_o have_v in_o those_o circumstance_n for_o the_o do_v the_o action_n he_o may_v be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v better_a for_o he_o to_o do_v the_o action_n than_o to_o let_v it_o alone_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o doubt_n he_o have_v about_o it_o that_o be_v though_o he_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o action_n itself_o consider_v without_o his_o present_a circumstance_n yet_o as_o it_o come_v circumstantiate_v to_o he_o he_o do_v not_o doubt_n but_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_o do_v by_o he_o but_o of_o this_o i_o have_v speak_v large_o before_o in_o my_o explication_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n but_o be_v not_o all_o doubt_v contrary_a to_o faith_n i_o answer_v no_o it_o be_v not_o for_o such_o kind_n of_o doubt_v as_o we_o here_o speak_v of_o do_v we_o see_v very_o well_o consist_v with_o faith._n my_o meaning_n be_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o a_o man_n have_v faith_n about_o a_o action_n that_o all_o his_o doubt_n concern_v that_o action_n shall_v be_v destroy_v it_o be_v abundant_o sufficient_a that_o they_o be_v overbalance_v that_o which_o i_o will_v say_v be_v this_o wherever_o a_o man_n have_v such_o a_o degree_n of_o persuasion_n touch_v any_o action_n he_o be_v deliberate_v about_o that_o he_o believe_v it_o more_o advisable_a to_o a_o reasonable_a man_n all_o thing_n consider_v to_o do_v that_o action_n than_o to_o forbear_v it_o such_o a_o man_n have_v all_o the_o faith_n that_o be_v needful_a to_o the_o do_v that_o action_n with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n though_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n he_o may_v have_v such_o doubt_n concern_v that_o action_n as_o will_v perhaps_o be_v too_o hard_a for_o he_o to_o resolve_v and_o will_v create_v he_o likewise_o some_o trouble_n and_o uneasiness_n in_o the_o do_n of_o it_o though_o indeed_o to_o speak_v proper_o i_o think_v these_o ought_v not_o any_o long_a to_o be_v call_v doubt_n after_o they_o be_v thus_o overrule_v or_o over_o balance_v but_o rather_o to_o go_v under_o the_o name_n and_o notion_n of_o pure_a scruple_n which_o the_o casuist_n of_o all_o persuasion_n do_v not_o only_o allow_v but_o advise_v that_o a_o man_n shall_v act_v against_o in_o plain_a english_a that_o doubtfulness_n about_o a_o action_n which_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o and_o which_o he_o censure_v as_o a_o sin_n be_v such_o a_o doubtfulness_n as_o after_o the_o action_n be_v do_v render_v the_o man_n self-condemned_n his_o conscience_n can_v not_o but_o reproach_v he_o for_o do_v as_o he_o do_v but_o now_o in_o our_o case_n the_o man_n be_v not_o at_o all_o self-condemned_n because_o he_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o his_o conscience_n that_o he_o have_v act_v according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o judgement_n and_o discretion_n though_o he_o act_v with_o a_o doubt_n yet_o he_o be_v satisfy_v he_o have_v make_v the_o most_o reasonable_a choice_n that_o he_o can_v in_o his_o circumstance_n and_o wherever_o a_o man_n do_v so_o he_o both_o act_n in_o faith_n and_o without_o any_o danger_n of_o condemnation_n from_o his_o own_o conscience_n so_o that_o after_o all_o the_o bustle_n that_o be_v make_v about_o do_v or_o forbear_v a_o action_n with_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n you_o see_v there_o be_v no_o great_a intricacy_n in_o the_o case_n nor_o any_o necessity_n of_o sin_v on_o both_o hand_n always_o suppose_v a_o man_n to_o be_v sincere_a and_o honest_a for_o if_o he_o be_v real_o so_o he_o will_v always_o do_v that_o which_o he_o judge_v most_o according_a to_o his_o duty_n or_o at_o least_o that_o which_o he_o judge_v to_o be_v consistent_a with_o it_o and_o wherever_o a_o man_n do_v thus_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o act_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n notwithstanding_o any_o doubt_v he_o may_v have_v about_o the_o action_n because_o more_o than_o the_o former_a a_o man_n can_v do_v and_o more_o than_o the_o latter_a he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v as_o for_o what_o sin_n a_o erroneous_a conscience_n may_v engage_v a_o man_n in_o or_o what_o troublesome_a reflection_n a_o melancholy_a imagination_n may_v occasion_v to_o he_o in_o these_o case_n i_o be_o not_o to_o answer_v for_o they_o they_o be_v of_o another_o consideration_n iv_o have_v thus_o large_o treat_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o of_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v to_o act_n whenever_o it_o happen_v and_o that_o both_o when_o he_o be_v leave_v at_o his_o own_o liberty_n and_o when_o he_o be_v under_o the_o command_v of_o other_o all_o that_o remain_v to_o be_v do_v be_v to_o speak_v something_o about_o the_o authority_n or_o obligation_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n which_o be_v our_o four_o and_o last_o general_n head._n but_o in_o truth_n the_o discussion_n of_o this_o may_v very_o well_o be_v spare_v after_o what_o i_o have_v say_v relate_v to_o this_o argument_n in_o several_a place_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n particular_o under_o my_o last_n head._n however_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v some_o account_n of_o this_o point_n though_o i_o intend_v it_o a_o very_a short_a one_o because_o indeed_o what_o i_o have_v to_o offer_v be_v not_o so_o much_o any_o new_a matter_n as_o a_o application_n of_o the_o principle_n i_o have_v before_o lay_v down_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n the_o point_n in_o question_n be_v concern_v the_o authority_n
with_o the_o few_o absurdity_n and_o evil_a consequence_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o do_v best_a serve_v all_o the_o interest_n spiritual_a and_o temporal_a take_v both_o together_o that_o a_o wise_a and_o a_o good_a man_n can_v propose_v to_o himself_o i_o say_v if_o any_o man_n do_v mean_a this_o by_o the_o safe_a side_n i_o do_v ready_o agree_v with_o he_o that_o it_o will_v for_o ever_o and_o in_o all_o case_n be_v a_o true_a and_o a_o wise_a and_o a_o good_a rule_n nay_o i_o add_v the_o only_a one_o to_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n to_o follow_v the_o safe_a side_n but_o then_o in_o this_o sense_n of_o safety_n the_o safe_a side_n and_o the_o more_o reasonable_a be_v all_o one_o thing_n and_o consequent_o this_o rule_n of_o follow_v the_o safe_a side_n and_o that_o i_o before_o lay_v down_o of_o follow_v the_o more_o reasonable_a be_v the_o same_o in_o sense_n though_o different_o express_v only_o i_o think_v this_o latter_a way_n of_o expression_n be_v more_o plain_a and_o less_o liable_a to_o misconstruction_n and_o therefore_o i_o choose_v it_o but_o it_o be_v indifferent_a to_o i_o how_o man_n word_n thing_n so_o long_o as_o we_o agree_v in_o our_o sense_n ii_o have_v thus_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o general_n rule_n by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v to_o determine_v himself_o in_o doubtful_a case_n i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o treat_v of_o the_o several_a head_n or_o sort_n of_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v concern_v and_o to_o make_v application_n of_o this_o rule_n to_o they_o and_o this_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o do_v admit_v the_o ground_n we_o have_v before_o lay_v down_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n wherein_o conscience_n be_v concern_v but_o it_o will_v of_o necessity_n fall_v under_o one_o of_o these_o two_o sort_n it_o be_v either_o a_o single_a doubt_n or_o a_o double_a one_o we_o call_v that_o a_o single_a doubt_n when_o a_o man_n doubt_v only_o on_o one_o side_n of_o the_o action_n but_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v as_o to_o the_o other_o as_o for_o instance_n he_o doubt_v concern_v this_o or_o the_o other_o particular_a action_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o do_v it_o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o have_v no_o doubt_n but_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v that_o he_o may_v lawful_o let_v it_o alone_o or_o on_o the_o contrary_a he_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v that_o the_o action_n be_v lawful_a and_o that_o he_o may_v do_v it_o but_o he_o doubt_n whether_o god_n law_n have_v not_o make_v it_o a_o duty_n so_o that_o he_o can_v lawful_o omit_v it_o this_o be_v that_o which_o we_o call_v a_o single_a doubt_n we_o call_v that_o a_o double_a doubt_n where_o a_o man_n doubt_n on_o both_o side_n of_o a_o action_n that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o doubt_v on_o one_o side_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v this_o action_n god_n law_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v make_v it_o a_o duty_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n so_o be_v the_o action_n circumstantiate_v with_o respect_n to_o he_o or_o he_o with_o respect_n to_o it_o that_o he_o doubt_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o forbear_v the_o action_n as_o it_o be_v now_o present_v to_o he_o god_n law_n have_v for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v forbid_v it_o so_o that_o he_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n what_o to_o do_v because_o he_o fear_v he_o may_v sin_v whether_o he_o do_v the_o action_n or_o do_v it_o not_o i_o say_v it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o put_v any_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v concern_v which_o will_v not_o fall_v under_o one_o of_o these_o two_o head_n i._o now_o as_o to_o the_o case_n of_o a_o single_a doubt_n we_o may_v thus_o apply_v the_o general_n rule_n that_o when_o a_o man_n doubt_v only_o on_o one_o side_n of_o a_o action_n there_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o choose_v that_o side_n of_o the_o action_n concern_v which_o he_o have_v no_o doubt_n than_o the_o other_o concern_v which_o he_o doubt_v suppose_v all_o other_o consideration_n be_v equal_a and_o here_o come_v in_o that_o famous_a maxim_n which_o have_v obtain_v both_o among_o christian_n and_o heathen_n quod_fw-la dubitas_fw-la ne_fw-la feceris_fw-la which_o with_o the_o restriction_n i_o have_v now_o mention_v will_v for_o ever_o be_v good_a advice_n in_o all_o case_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o venture_v upon_o any_o action_n where_o a_o man_n have_v the_o least_o fear_n or_o suspicion_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a he_o may_v transgress_v some_o law_n of_o god_n by_o it_o when_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o act_n without_o any_o fear_n or_o suspicion_n of_o that_o kind_n suppose_v all_o along_o this_o consideration_n of_o the_o possibility_n of_o offend_v by_o this_o action_n be_v not_o overbalance_v and_o so_o the_o fear_n of_o it_o remove_v by_o other_o consideration_n which_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o action_n do_v suggest_v thus_o for_o instance_n here_o be_v a_o man_n doubt_n whether_o it_o be_v allowable_a in_o a_o christian_n to_o drink_v a_o health_n or_o put_v out_o money_n to_o interest_n or_o to_o go_v to_o law_n as_o have_v converse_v with_o such_o man_n or_o such_o book_n as_o do_v condemn_v these_o practice_n and_o that_o not_o without_o some_o colour_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god._n the_o man_n be_v not_o indeed_o so_o convince_v by_o their_o discourse_n as_o to_o have_v take_v up_o any_o opinion_n or_o persuasion_n that_o these_o practice_n be_v unlawful_a nor_o will_v he_o censure_v any_o man_n that_o use_v they_o because_o he_o see_v there_o be_v as_o good_a man_n and_o for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v as_o good_a argument_n for_o the_o other_o side_n but_o he_o be_v not_o so_o clear_a in_o his_o judgement_n about_o these_o point_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o pronounce_v any_o thing_n positive_o concern_v they_o either_o way_n he_o can_v say_v that_o he_o believe_v they_o lawful_a though_o he_o be_v not_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v unlawful_a which_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o a_o doubt_v mind_n now_o in_o these_o and_o all_o other_o such_o like_a case_n the_o rule_n be_v plain_a that_o while_o a_o man_n judgement_n continue_v thus_o in_o suspense_n it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a for_o he_o to_o forbear_v these_o practice_n for_o there_o be_v no_o pretence_n of_o obligation_n upon_o he_o from_o god_n law_n to_o engage_v in_o any_o of_o they_o and_o why_o shall_v he_o rash_o throw_v himself_o into_o danger_n by_o venture_v upon_o a_o action_n concern_v which_o he_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o no_o he_o run_v no_o hazard_n by_o forbear_v these_o thing_n but_o if_o he_o practise_v they_o he_o do_v thus_o far_o be_v right_a but_o then_o as_o i_o say_v this_o be_v always_o to_o be_v understand_v with_o this_o proviso_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la for_o if_o there_o shall_v happen_v to_o be_v such_o other_o consideration_n in_o the_o action_n as_o have_v force_n enough_o to_o overbalance_n this_o consideration_n of_o uncertainty_n it_o will_v then_o be_v reasonable_a to_o choose_v that_o side_n of_o the_o action_n concern_v which_o i_o do_v before_o doubt_n rather_o than_o that_o of_o which_o i_o have_v no_o doubt_n at_o all_o thus_o if_o the_o man_n that_o make_v a_o question_n about_o any_o of_o the_o three_o thing_n i_o before_o mention_v shall_v light_v into_o such_o circumstance_n that_o for_o instance_n he_o must_v either_o drink_v such_o a_o single_a health_n or_o a_o quarrel_n be_v like_a to_o ensue_v nay_o and_o that_o perhaps_o to_o the_o danger_n of_o some_o of_o the_o life_n of_o the_o company_n or_o again_o that_o he_o have_v no_o mean_n of_o improve_n his_o money_n in_o which_o his_o whole_a fortune_n consist_v in_o any_o other_o way_n but_o by_o that_o of_o usury_n so_o that_o he_o and_o his_o family_n must_v in_o time_n starve_v unless_o they_o be_v maintain_v by_o this_o course_n or_o last_o if_o a_o orphan_n be_v trust_v to_o his_o care_n and_o the_o estate_n of_o that_o orphan_n be_v so_o entangle_v that_o he_o must_v be_v put_v upon_o the_o necessity_n either_o of_o wage_n a_o law_n suit_n for_o the_o clear_n it_o or_o suffer_v his_o near_a relation_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n to_o be_v defraud_v of_o his_o right_n i_o say_v if_o the_o case_n happen_v to_o be_v thus_o circumstantiate_v he_o that_o before_o doubt_v in_o general_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o drink_v a_o health_n or_o to_o put_v out_o money_n to_o usury_n or_o to_o engage_v in_o law_n suit_n may_v i_o shall_v think_v certain_o satisfy_v himself_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o expedient_a in_o this_o particular_a case_n notwithstanding_o his_o general_n doubt_v to_o
law_n of_o god_n than_o of_o observe_v that_o law_n as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v though_o with_o much_o unworthiness_n i_o will_v only_o add_v this_o further_a with_o reference_n to_o this_o particular_a of_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n though_o i_o be_o far_o from_o encourage_v any_o to_o approach_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n without_o due_a qualification_n or_o from_o extenuate_v any_o man_n sin_n that_o come_v unworthy_o unworthy_o i_o mean_v in_o the_o scripture_n sense_n of_o that_o word_n and_o not_o as_o it_o be_v understand_v by_o many_o melancholy_a scrupulous_a person_n yet_o this_o i_o say_v that_o if_o man_n do_v serious_o consider_v what_o a_o sin_n it_o be_v to_o live_v without_o the_o sacrament_n it_o be_v no_o other_o than_o live_v in_o a_o open_a affront_n to_o the_o express_a institution_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n and_o a_o renounce_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o great_a instance_n of_o christian_a worship_n and_o christian_a communion_n and_o withal_o what_o dreadful_a consequence_n they_o bring_v upon_o themselves_o hereby_o even_o the_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o those_o ordinary_a mean_n which_o our_o lord_n have_v appoint_v for_o the_o obtain_n remission_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o grace_n and_o influence_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n i_o say_v if_o man_n do_v serious_o consider_v these_o thing_n they_o will_v not_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o so_o slight_a a_o matter_n voluntary_o to_o excommunicate_v themselves_o as_o to_o the_o partake_n in_o this_o great_a duty_n and_o privilege_n of_o christian_n but_o what_o apprehension_n soever_o they_o have_v of_o the_o sin_n and_o the_o danger_n of_o receive_v unworthy_o they_o will_v for_o all_o that_o think_v it_o more_o sinful_a and_o more_o dangerous_a not_o to_o receive_v at_o all_o i_o have_v say_v enough_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n from_o st._n paul_n perhaps_o too_o much_o consider_v how_o often_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v say_v i_o will_v now_o go_v on_o with_o our_o case_n in_o the_o three_o place_n therefore_o let_v we_o suppose_v our_o doubt_v man_n for_o these_o or_o such_o like_a reason_n as_o we_o have_v give_v to_o have_v such_o a_o sense_n of_o his_o duty_n that_o he_o general_o take_v the_o opportunity_n that_o be_v offer_v he_o of_o do_v honour_n to_o our_o lord_n by_o partake_v in_o his_o supper_n though_o perhaps_o he_o be_v not_o often_o very_a well_o satisfy_v about_o his_o preparation_n but_o so_o it_o happen_v that_o since_o his_o last_o communicate_v he_o find_v his_o mind_n in_o a_o much_o worse_a frame_n than_o it_o use_v to_o be_v he_o have_v live_v more_o loose_o and_o careless_o than_o he_o be_v wont_a or_o perhaps_o he_o have_v be_v very_o late_o guilty_a of_o some_o grievous_a sin_n that_o lie_v heavy_a upon_o his_o conscience_n so_o that_o when_o his_o next_o usual_a time_n of_o receive_v come_v he_o can_v but_o apprehend_v himself_o in_o a_o very_a unfit_a condition_n to_o communicate_v in_o so_o sacred_a a_o mystery_n upon_o this_o he_o be_v in_o a_o great_a perplexity_n what_o to_o do_v for_o on_o the_o one_o side_n he_o think_v he_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o offend_v god_n if_o he_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n in_o these_o circumstance_n than_o if_o he_o forbear_v because_o he_o be_v more_o certain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o law_n of_o god_n that_o forbid_v he_o to_o come_v unworthy_o than_o he_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o law_n of_o god_n that_o command_v he_o to_o receive_v every_o time_n that_o he_o have_v opportunity_n but_o now_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o it_o shall_v prove_v that_o he_o be_v real_o bind_v by_o god_n law_n to_o commemorate_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o sacrament_n every_o time_n that_o a_o opportunity_n be_v offer_v he_o be_v sensible_a in_o that_o case_n it_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n to_o neglect_v this_o duty_n than_o to_o perform_v it_o unworthy_o so_o long_o still_o as_o he_o perform_v it_o out_o of_o conscience_n what_o now_o be_v the_o man_n to_o do_v in_o these_o circumstance_n this_o be_v a_o exact_a instance_n of_o the_o case_n i_o speak_v to_o in_o my_o three_o proposition_n where_o on_o one_o side_n the_o man_n run_v a_o great_a danger_n of_o sin_v but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o he_o shall_v prove_v mistake_v he_o sin_n in_o a_o great_a degree_n now_o for_o a_o resolution_n of_o this_o case_n i_o say_v that_o if_o the_o question_n be_v put_v concern_v the_o man_n absent_v himself_n only_o once_o or_o twice_o from_o the_o communion_n in_o order_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o repentance_n and_o the_o put_v himself_o into_o a_o better_a frame_n of_o mind_n against_o another_o opportunity_n the_o answer_n according_a to_o our_o three_o proposition_n must_v be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a thus_o to_o do_v and_o there_o be_v good_a ground_n for_o this_o answer_n for_o certain_o a_o man_n be_v more_o in_o danger_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o receive_v unworthy_o than_o if_o he_o do_v not_o receive_v every_o time_n that_o there_o be_v a_o communion_n there_o be_v a_o express_a law_n against_o the_o one_o but_o no_o express_a law_n oblige_v to_o the_o other_o for_o christ_n have_v no_o more_o appoint_v that_o we_o shall_v receive_v the_o sacrament_n so_o many_o time_n in_o a_o year_n than_o he_o have_v appoint_v that_o we_o shall_v pray_v so_o many_o time_n in_o a_o day_n or_o that_o we_o shall_v give_v such_o a_o determinate_a proportion_n of_o our_o annual_a income_n to_o charitable_a uses_n as_o to_o these_o thing_n he_o have_v bind_v we_o in_o the_o general_n but_o as_o to_o the_o particular_n the_o circumstance_n of_o our_o condition_n and_o the_o law_n of_o our_o superior_n be_v to_o determine_v we_o only_o this_o we_o be_v to_o remember_v that_o the_o often_o we_o perform_v these_o duty_n it_o be_v the_o better_a and_o we_o can_v hardly_o be_v say_v to_o be_v christian_n if_o we_o do_v not_o perform_v they_o frequent_o this_o now_o be_v so_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o a_o man_n will_v be_v guilty_a of_o a_o great_a sin_n if_o he_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n though_o but_o once_o abstain_v from_o the_o communion_n than_o if_o he_o shall_v come_v to_o it_o with_o such_o unworthiness_n as_o we_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o suppose_v that_o christ_n law_n have_v precise_o tie_v he_o up_o to_o communicate_v every_o time_n that_o a_o communion_n be_v appoint_v yet_o since_o there_o be_v so_o little_a appearance_n of_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o christ_n have_v thus_o tie_v he_o up_o and_o withal_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o run_v so_o certain_a a_o danger_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o shall_v communicate_v at_o this_o time_n apprehend_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o unworthy_a as_o he_o do_v this_o consideration_n of_o the_o certain_a danger_n must_v needs_o in_o this_o case_n overballance_v the_o other_o of_o the_o great_a sin_n and_o make_v it_o appear_v more_o reasonable_a to_o the_o man_n to_o suspend_v his_o receive_n to_o another_o opportunity_n against_o which_o time_n he_o hope_v to_o be_v better_o prepare_v than_o to_o adventure_v upon_o it_o in_o his_o present_a circumstance_n but_o then_o if_o the_o question_n be_v put_v concern_v the_o man_n absent_v himself_n customary_o and_o habitual_o from_o the_o lord_n table_n upon_o this_o a_o count_n of_o unworthiness_n that_o which_o i_o have_v now_o say_v will_v not_o hold_v for_o in_o this_o case_n the_o man_n be_v in_o as_o much_o danger_n of_o sin_v by_o not_o receive_v at_o all_o as_o by_o receive_v unworthy_o nay_o and_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o as_o i_o show_v in_o my_o first_o particular_a about_o this_o case_n and_o withal_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o much_o great_a sin_n in_o whole_o withdraw_v from_o the_o sacrament_n than_o in_o come_v to_o it_o though_o with_o never_o so_o great_a apprehension_n of_o his_o own_o unworthiness_n as_o i_o show_v in_o my_o second_o and_o therefore_o since_o the_o danger_n be_v at_o least_o equal_a on_o both_o side_n he_o must_v choose_v that_o side_n on_o which_o the_o least_o sin_n lie_v that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o must_v communicate_v frequent_o at_o least_o so_o often_o as_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n do_v enjoin_v he_o which_o be_v three_o time_n a_o year_n though_o he_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o do_v it_o unworthy_o rather_o than_o not_o communicate_v at_o all_o have_v thus_o go_v through_o three_o of_o our_o proposition_n concern_v a_o double_a doubt_n all_o that_o remain_v be_v to_o put_v our_o case_n about_o the_o sacrament_n so_o as_o that_o it_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o instance_n or_o illustration_n of_o our_o four_o and_o last_o here_o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o suppose_v our_o doubt_v man_n to_o be_v
or_o at_o least_o they_o mighty_o doubt_v whether_o they_o do_v or_o not_o so_o that_o whereas_o other_o christian_n who_o be_v better_o instruct_v make_v no_o scruple_n of_o eat_v any_o kind_n of_o food_n though_o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n these_o man_n have_v great_a reason_n to_o forbear_v such_o kind_n of_o meat_n because_o they_o be_v persuade_v or_o at_o least_o it_o appear_v more_o probable_a to_o they_o than_o otherwise_o that_o they_o be_v bind_v so_o to_o do_v that_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o st._n paul_n here_o style_v the_o weak_a christian_n appear_v from_o several_a passage_n of_o this_o chapter_n nor_o i_o think_v be_v it_o much_o question_v by_o any_o as_o for_o what_o be_v intimate_v in_o the_o second_o verse_n concern_v their_o abstain_v from_o flesh_n altogether_o and_o only_o eat_v herb_n which_o will_v make_v one_o think_v that_o it_o be_v not_o pure_o their_o respect_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o make_v they_o thus_o to_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o meatâ—_n because_o by_o that_o law_n they_o be_v no_o more_o tie_v from_o flesh_n except_v only_a swines-flesh_n and_o a_o few_o other_o sort_n than_o they_o be_v from_o herb_n st._n chrysostome_n have_v well_o obviate_v this_o difficulty_n in_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o case_n of_o those_o christian_n there_o be_v say_v he_o several_a of_o the_o believe_a jew_n who_o take_v themselves_o to_o be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n even_o after_o their_o christianity_n do_v still_o retain_v the_o observation_n of_o meat_n not_o dare_v whole_o to_o throw_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o the_o law_n these_o now_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v find_v out_o and_o reproach_v by_o the_o other_o christian_n for_o thus_o abstain_v from_o swines-flesh_n and_o the_o like_a upon_o account_n of_o conscience_n choose_v to_o eat_v no_o flesh_n at_o all_o but_o to_o feed_v altogether_o upon_o herb_n that_o so_o this_o way_n of_o live_v of_o they_o may_v pass_v rather_o for_o a_o kind_n of_o fast_a or_o religious_a abstinence_n than_o for_o a_o legal_a observance_n thus_o st._n chrysostome_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n theodoret_n and_o theophylact._n but_o if_o any_o one_o be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o this_o account_n of_o that_o business_n but_o will_v further_o contend_v that_o st._n paul_n here_o do_v not_o only_o speak_v to_o the_o case_n of_o jewish_a christian_n who_o be_v zealous_a for_o moses_n law_n but_o also_o take_v in_o the_o case_n of_o some_o gentile_a christian_n at_o that_o time_n who_o upon_o a_o pythagorean_n principle_n they_o may_v have_v entertain_v be_v averse_a to_o the_o eat_v any_o kind_n of_o flesh_n as_o think_v all_o such_o food_n to_o be_v unclean_a they_o may_v notwithstanding_o what_o i_o have_v say_v enjoy_v their_o own_o opinion_n for_o it_o be_v indifferent_a to_o our_o controversy_n whether_o the_o person_n who_o case_n be_v here_o speak_v to_o be_v jew_n or_o gentile_n only_o thus_o much_o appear_v plain_o that_o the_o most_o of_o they_o be_v jewish_a christian_n who_o together_o with_o their_o christianity_n have_v a_o conscientious_a regard_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n second_o as_o for_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o doubt_v in_o the_o text_n upon_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v no_o where_o either_o in_o scripture_n or_o any_o other_o author_n signify_v to_o doubt_n but_o most_o usual_o to_o discern_v or_o distinguish_v or_o make_v a_o difference_n as_o it_o be_v frequent_o use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n vid._n matt._n xvi_o 3._o act_n xv._o 9_o 1_o cor._n iu._n 7._o vi_o 5._o xi_o 29._o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v sometime_o take_v active_o and_o then_o it_o have_v the_o same_o signification_n with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n to_o make_v a_o difference_n as_o be_v plain_a not_o only_o in_o st._n judes_n text_n here_o quote_v but_o in_o st._n james_n ch._n ii_o 4._o where_o our_o english_a translation_n have_v indeed_o very_a well_o render_v the_o apostle_n sense_n thus_o be_v you_o not_o partial_a but_o if_o they_o have_v true_o render_v his_o word_n they_o must_v have_v thus_o translate_v do_v you_o not_o make_v a_o difference_n again_o sometime_o it_o be_v take_v passive_o and_o then_o the_o signification_n of_o it_o be_v this_o to_o be_v divide_v or_o sever_v or_o distinguish_v and_o when_o it_o be_v use_v in_o this_o sense_n it_o sometime_o happen_v that_o the_o english_a word_n doubt_v do_v convenient_o enough_o express_v it_o doubt_v be_v indeed_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o man_n be_v divide_v as_o to_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o according_o in_o some_o place_n our_o translator_n have_v thus_o english_v it_o though_o i_o believe_v in_o some_o of_o those_o more_o proper_a word_n may_v be_v find_v out_o to_o express_v its_o sense_n but_o though_o in_o a_o few_o text_n it_o be_v thus_o use_v in_o scripture_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o any_o profane_a author_n do_v ever_o use_v it_o in_o this_o sense_n of_o doubt_v and_o therefore_o unless_o there_o be_v evident_a reason_n i_o do_v not_o know_v why_o we_o shall_v depart_v from_o the_o natural_a and_o usual_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o text_n we_o be_v now_o upon_o the_o reader_n may_v be_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o we_o here_o translate_v he_o that_o doubt_v do_v as_o proper_o signify_v to_o distinguish_v or_o make_v a_o difference_n as_o to_o doubt_v or_o hesitate_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v use_v both_o by_o profane_a writer_n and_o in_o holy_a scripture_n as_o particular_o in_o the_o 22d_o of_o st._n jude_n epistle_n and_o of_o some_o have_v compassion_n make_v a_o difference_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o very_a word_n in_o the_o text._n now_o consider_v the_o apostle_n argument_n in_o this_o chapter_n be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n who_o be_v divide_v in_o their_o persuasion_n about_o the_o legal_a observation_n some_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o clean_a and_o unclean_a meat_n and_o such_o like_a thing_n and_o other_o make_v none_n it_o seem_v every_o whit_n as_o proper_a and_o natural_a and_o more_o suitable_a to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o place_n to_o take_v the_o word_n in_o this_o sense_n in_o this_o place_n rather_o than_o in_o that_o other_o according_a to_o which_o it_o be_v usual_o translate_v so_o that_o the_o text_n be_v thus_o to_o be_v render_v he_o that_o make_v a_o differenee_n between_o clean_a and_o unclean_a meat_n if_o he_o do_v eat_v any_o thing_n which_o he_o judge_v to_o be_v unclean_a he_o be_v damn_v or_o condemn_v for_o so_o do_v because_o he_o eat_v not_o of_o faith._n and_o so_o probable_a be_v this_o render_n that_o our_o english_a translator_n take_v care_n to_o put_v it_o in_o the_o margin_n of_o our_o bibles_n as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o every_o one_o nor_o do_v it_o want_v good_a authority_n for_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a thus_o translate_v the_o place_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o erasmus_n hentenius_n and_o general_o all_o the_o latin_a expositor_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v estius_n who_o yet_o himself_o interpret_v it_o the_o common_a way_n indeed_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o this_o be_v the_o true_a version_n of_o this_o word_n in_o this_o text._n however_o i_o do_v not_o so_o much_o stand_v upon_o it_o as_o to_o preclude_v any_o man_n from_o the_o liberty_n of_o take_v the_o other_o if_o he_o like_v it_o better_o for_o though_o this_o way_n of_o render_v do_v better_a serve_v our_o purpose_n as_o quite_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o controversy_n yet_o our_o cause_n do_v not_o so_o absolute_o depend_v upon_o it_o but_o that_o we_o may_v very_o well_o allow_v of_o the_o common_a translation_n as_o will_v appear_v hereafter_o three_o as_o for_o the_o word_n faith_n which_o be_v here_o use_v let_v it_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o when_o in_o the_o verse_n before_o the_o text_n the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o have_v faith_n and_o in_o the_o text_n of_o eat_v without_o faith_n or_o not_o of_o faith_n and_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n we_o be_v not_o to_o take_v faith_n here_o in_o the_o large_a sense_n as_o it_o signify_v a_o belief_n in_o jesus_n christ_n or_o a_o assent_n to_o god_n revelation_n particular_o those_o of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v the_o usual_a notion_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o only_o for_o a_o man_n assent_n to_o the_o goodness_n or_o lawfulness_n of_o any_o particular_a action_n that_o he_o take_v in_o hand_n so_o that_o to_o have_v faith_n about_o a_o action_n be_v to_o be_v persuade_v that_o that_o action_n may_v be_v lawful_o do_v in_o the_o present_a
consiliis_fw-la let_v every_o one_o be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o counsel_n and_o to_o the_o same_o sense_n also_o both_o st._n chrysostome_n and_o theodoret_n do_v expound_v this_o passage_n this_o interpretation_n though_o it_o be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o in_o our_o english_a bible_n yet_o express_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o original_a text_n as_o well_o as_o that_o and_o withal_o have_v better_a authority_n to_o recommend_v it_o but_o that_o which_o we_o chief_o stand_v upon_o be_v that_o the_o subject_a matter_n and_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v necessary_o require_v this_o interpretation_n for_o in_o truth_n if_o this_o passage_n be_v render_v the_o common_a way_n so_o as_o that_o it_o shall_v import_v that_o every_o man_n in_o every_o case_n be_v to_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o the_o precept_n here_o give_v can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v either_o reasonable_a or_o possible_a it_o be_v certain_o no_o more_o in_o every_o man_n power_n to_o be_v satisfy_v about_o all_o his_o doubt_n than_o it_o be_v to_o believe_v or_o disbelieve_v what_o he_o please_v when_o there_o appear_v reason_n of_o doubt_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o command_v a_o man_n not_o to_o doubt_v nay_o it_o be_v as_o much_o a_o man_n duty_n to_o doubt_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o judgement_n in_o suspense_n when_o the_o weight_n of_o probability_n be_v on_o both_o side_n equal_a as_o it_o be_v to_o believe_v or_o to_o disbelieve_v upon_o clear_a evidence_n or_o rather_o in_o that_o case_n a_o man_n can_v choose_v but_o doubt_v he_o can_v reasonable_o nay_o he_o can_v possible_o do_v otherwise_o i_o think_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o do_v plain_o appear_v that_o this_o text_n of_o st._n paul_n we_o be_v upon_o viz._n he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n in_o our_o sense_n but_o only_o with_o a_o resolve_a one_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o argument_n which_o be_v bring_v from_o hence_o against_o our_o assertion_n be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n because_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o false_a exposition_n of_o the_o text._n but_o though_o this_o be_v as_o i_o think_v the_o true_a answer_n to_o this_o argument_n and_o the_o answer_v indeed_o which_o i_o main_o stand_v upon_o yet_o there_o be_v another_o answer_n give_v to_o it_o by_o the_o casuist_n which_o because_o it_o be_v the_o answer_n that_o our_o learned_a bishop_n sanderson_n think_v fit_a to_o pitch_v upon_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o pass_v it_o by_o without_o mention_n nor_o if_o i_o can_v without_o some_o improvement_n i_o must_v confess_v if_o we_o do_v admit_v this_o answer_n the_o authority_n and_o obligation_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n will_v be_v set_v high_a than_o i_o do_v in_o this_o discourse_n suppose_v it_o but_o however_o it_o may_v be_v a_o good_a answer_n to_o the_o dissenter_n because_o it_o untie_v the_o difficulty_n upon_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o answer_n be_v this_o 2._o in_o the_o second_o place_n allow_v that_o the_o man_n who_o case_n st._n paul_n speak_v to_o in_o this_o text_n be_v real_o a_o doubt_v person_n and_o not_o one_o that_o be_v persuade_v as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o suppose_v yet_o it_o do_v by_o no_o mean_n follow_v that_o because_o this_o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n and_o condemn_v for_o eat_v those_o meat_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o which_o he_o doubt_v therefore_o a_o man_n that_o obey_v authority_n in_o a_o instance_n where_o he_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o command_n that_o such_o a_o man_n sin_n and_o be_v condemn_v for_o so_o do_v this_o i_o say_v do_v not_o at_o all_o follow_v for_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a disparity_n in_o the_o case_n and_o to_o argue_v from_o one_o to_o the_o other_o be_v to_o argue_v from_o a_o particular_a to_o a_o universal_a or_o from_o one_o particular_a to_o another_o without_o respect_n to_o the_o different_a circumstance_n of_o each_o case_n which_o be_v against_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o logic_n if_o st._n paul_n have_v say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o act_n there_o have_v be_v some_o pretence_n for_o make_v his_o sentence_n a_o universal_a proposition_n so_o as_o to_o extend_v to_o all_o doubt_v man_n in_o all_o case_n but_o now_o only_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o eat_v it_o show_v that_o he_o only_o speak_v to_o the_o particular_a case_n that_o be_v before_o he_o and_o that_o other_o case_n be_v no_o far_o concern_v in_o his_o proposition_n than_o as_o they_o do_v agree_v in_o circumstance_n with_o the_o case_n he_o there_o speak_v to_o now_o the_o case_n the_o apostle_n there_o treat_v of_o and_o that_o which_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v about_o be_v so_o far_o from_o any_o way_n agree_v in_o the_o main_a circumstance_n by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v to_o measure_v the_o goodness_n or_o the_o badness_n of_o a_o action_n that_o there_o can_v be_v two_o doubtful_a case_n put_v that_o be_v more_o different_a as_o i_o shall_v now_o show_v if_o st._n paul_n do_v at_o all_o here_o speak_v to_o the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_v man_n he_o speak_v of_o one_o that_o act_v doubt_o in_o a_o matter_n where_o it_o be_v in_o his_o own_o power_n to_o act_n without_o a_o doubt_n that_o be_v he_o be_v in_o such_o circumstance_n that_o he_o know_v he_o may_v certain_o without_o sin_n refuse_v to_o eat_v those_o meat_n concern_v which_o he_o doubt_v for_o there_o be_v no_o colour_n of_o obligation_n upon_o he_o to_o eat_v they_o but_o yet_o in_o this_o case_n where_o he_o be_v perfect_o at_o liberty_n to_o let_v alone_o for_o the_o serve_v some_o evil_a unwarrantable_a end_n he_o will_v not_o choose_v that_o side_n which_o be_v safe_a and_o where_o he_o need_v fear_v no_o sin_n which_o be_v to_o forbear_v but_o will_v choose_v that_o side_n that_o be_v doubtful_a that_o be_v will_v run_v a_o needless_a hazard_n of_o transgress_v some_o law_n of_o god._n it_o be_v of_o such_o a_o man_n and_o in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o that_o st._n paul_n speak_v when_o he_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v suppose_v indeed_o that_o his_o word_n be_v at_o all_o to_o be_v expound_v in_o this_o sense_n but_o now_o because_o it_o be_v thus_o in_o this_o case_n and_o in_o all_o such_o like_a if_o you_o please_v do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v from_o these_o word_n that_o a_o man_n that_o be_v in_o other_o circumstance_n that_o be_v not_o at_o liberty_n to_o choose_v his_o own_o way_n as_o not_o be_v at_o his_o own_o disposal_n but_o under_o the_o direction_n and_o government_n of_o authority_n that_o this_o man_n sin_n and_o be_v condemn_v if_o he_o obey_v the_o order_n of_o his_o superior_n when_o he_o be_v doubtful_a of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o which_o he_o express_v his_o obedience_n no_o by_o no_o mean_n for_o this_o case_n have_v a_o quite_o different_a consideration_n in_o the_o former_a case_n there_o be_v only_o danger_n on_o one_o side_n and_o that_o be_v in_o act_v and_o the_o man_n may_v forbear_v if_o he_o please_v and_o that_o without_o any_o danger_n but_o in_o the_o other_o case_n there_o be_v danger_n on_o both_o side_n and_o the_o man_n run_v at_o least_o as_o great_a a_o hazard_n in_o forbear_v the_o action_n nay_o we_o say_v a_o much_o great_a as_o if_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o so_o that_o undeniable_o unless_o we_o will_v make_v one_o rule_n to_o serve_v for_o all_o case_n though_o never_o so_o different_a which_o be_v the_o absurde_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o st._n paul_n have_v here_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a this_o latter_a man_n may_v not_o only_o without_o sin_n do_v the_o thing_n he_o doubt_v of_o but_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o whereas_o if_o the_o other_o man_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o text_n shall_v do_v the_o action_n he_o doubt_v of_o it_o may_v be_v a_o sin_n in_o he_o but_o further_a that_o st._n paul_n mean_v not_o to_o extend_v his_o proposition_n to_o all_o doubtful_a case_n but_o only_o to_o such_o case_n as_o he_o here_o treat_v of_o be_v pretty_a evident_a from_o the_o reason_n that_o he_o give_v why_o he_o that_o eat_v doubt_o sin_n in_o so_o do_v viz._n because_o he_o eat_v not_o of_o faith._n he_o do_v not_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v because_o he_o eat_v with_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n if_o he_o have_v say_v so_o i_o grant_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o proposition_n will_v have_v reach_v all_o doubt_v man_n in_o all_o case_n but_o this_o be_v that_o which_o he_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v because_o he_o eat_v